Mike Leach coached some prolific offenses as Texas Tech and he is trying to build the same kind of attack at Washington State, AU’s first opponent on Saturday, Aug. 31, @ Jordan-Hare at 6 PM CT on ESPNU. AU will face a pretty formidable opponent in Washington State.
The Cougars’ offense will be a high octane, aerial attack. Connor Halliday returns at quarterback for his redshirt junior year. He was 151-of-290 (52.1%) for 1,874 yards and 15 touchdowns last year. But he also threw 13 interceptions in 2012. He threw it around a lot in the nine games he started and played. He threw it over 60 times against Colorado and Oregon–the Cougars lost both games, 35-34 to Colorado, and 51-26 to the Quack Attack. The Cougars finished 3-9 overall in Leach’s first year and 1-8 in the Pac-12. But I watched their spring game and Halliday really came on in the second half in that game. The Huskies throw a lot of short, quick, slant stuff and let their receivers make plays in the open field. Halliday threw a pair of TD’s in the Cougars most recent scrimmage last Saturday, and he’s had some playmakers emerge. Expect corners Chris Davis and Joshua Holsey to be tested frequently. An interesting stat is even though the offense returns eight starters, including most of their offensive line, they led the nation in sacks allowed last year, giving up 57. They were a smallish group last year averaging 270 across the front, but looking at the roster, there is more size there, some 300 pounders, so it’ll be interesting to see how Dee Ford ( DE, 6’2″, 240, but not likely to play), Jeffrey Whitaker (DT, 6’4″, 310), freshman standout Carl Lawson (DE, 6’2″, 258), Gabe Wright (DT, 6″3″, 296) and company handle them. That could be a big determinant in the outcome of the game.
Washington State has some good playmakers on the perimeter. Freshman River Cracraft (6’0″, 198 WR) caught six passes for 144 yards and two TDs in last Saturday’s scrimmage. He looks like a go-to guy for them this fall, so Davis and Holsey will have to be ready for him. Some returners who are also good players on the flanks are Gabe Marks (49-560, 2 TDs), Isiah Myers (42-238, 4 TDs), Bobby Ratliff (30-399) and Kristoff Williams (22-192, 4 TDs). The Cougars also use running back Ricky Galvin out of the backfield on swing passes and he’s pretty effective in the passing game. That is pretty much the extent of their running game as well. That’s just how Leach plays offense, though Galvin looks like a capable runner. With an offensive line that is developing and the way Leach likes to throw it around, I’m looking at the Cougars throwing it 40 to 50 times this game.
Defense is better than most might think. Safety Deone Bucannon (6’1″, 215, Sr.) is the heart and soul of the group. He didn’t play in the spring game, but the commentators were calling him “the quarterback” of the unit. He registered 106 tackles last year (led the team), and picked off 4 passes. Will be a guy NIck Marshall has to account for in the passing game. Linebacker Darryl Monroe (6’1″, 235, RS Soph) recorded 80 tackles last year with 8.5 for loss and three sacks. He will be a key player for the o line and Jay Prosch to handle. A big time player up front is defensive tackle Xavier Cooper (6’4″, 303, RS Soph). Copper had 8.5 tackles for loss and three sacks last year, and in last Saturday’s scrimmage, he recorded two sacks. Looks like a real dominant type player. The Cougars’ defensive front is one of their strengths, so it’ll be a good test for Reese Dismukes and his offensive line teammates, whom I expect to be a pretty solid unit this fall and have a very bright future with some young hosses developing.
The key to me in this game is the play of Marshall. The quarterback is always the most critical player on the field and this is Marshall’s first opportunity against a pretty good opponent, so he needs to perform well. Marshall threw 20 ints last year in junior college in Kansas which I’ve already talked about, but he is fast as a locomotive and can make a lot happen on the ground and in the air. He’s got a strong arm and he can be a really dynamic player. Gus must really believe in him and obviously believes that Nick gives Auburn the best chance to win as many football games as possible this year. I’m looking at six, seven and eight wins if things go pretty well. Nine is optimistic, but not out of the question.
Washington State is a huge game in setting the tone for the season. If Marshall can play well, and Cameron Artis-Payne, Tre Mason and Corey Grant can have big games on the ground behind a building, talented line, and guys like Sammy Coates step up on the perimeter, that would be a huge lift for this football team if they can get this first game.
The toughest games this season are @LSU (9-21), @ A&M (10-19), home vs. Georgia (11-16) and home vs Alabama (11-30). Those games will be difficult, but who knows what A&M is going to be like? Will Johnny Manziel make it on the field this year? If he’s not eligible, AU can win that game. LSU is totally unknown on defense. They lost eight starters off their defense, and I’m not convinced Zach Mettenberger is that great at quarterback. So those aren’t out of the question particularly if Manziel doesn’t play. Georgia and Alabama will be tough, but you never know. Key tossup games are vs. Ms. State (9-14, home), vs. Ole Miss (10-5, home), @ Arkansas (11-2) and @ Tennessee (11-9). If AU can win those, it could be a pretty nice season. If the running game and line can take the pressure off Marshall that will really help. If Marshall can’t get the job done there are two other capable guys behind him. Jeremy Johnson looks like he’ll be stellar in the future. He’s 6″5′, 219. Also, Chase White, a highly talented qb commit, is coming in next year. Still like Jonathan Wallace.
Washington State is first up and is a critical game. Can’t wait.
Wow, what a first weekend. On Saturday, 8-31, it’s No.1 Alabama vs. Va Tech (4:30 PM CT, ESPN, Georgia Dome, Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic), No.5 Georgia @ No.8 Clemson in Death Valley (blockbuster there, 7 PM CT, ABC), No.12 LSU vs. No.20 TCU (8 PM CT, ESPN, Cowboys Classic, Arlington, Texas, Jerry World), Mississippi State vs. No.13 Oklahoma State (Texas Kickoff Classic, Reliant Stadium, Houston, TX, 2:30 PM CT, ABC). The season opens Thursday Night, 8-29, with Ole Miss @ Vandy ( 8:15 PM CT, ESPN), and is preceded by South Carolina hosting North Carolina at Williams Brice Stadium in Columbia, SC, Thursday Night (8-29, 5 PM CT, ESPN). Jadeveon Clowney kicks things off.
The season is here. Gotta love it. Previews and predictions begin a week from Thursday, Aug. 29th, @ Noon CT. Meantime, I will have a lot more this week and next leading up to opening kickoff.
2 Responses
Thanks for the analysis, David. Looking forward to your predictions on the 29th.
Thanks JC. Enjoyed our meeting yesterday. Awesome works as usual.